Members receive access to a range of exclusive benefits such as events at the UN and across the United States, as well as opportunities to advocate, host Model UN conferences, and connect young professionals to UN experts.

Chris Whatley Joins United Nations Association of the USA as Executive Director

Whatley takes reigns of Association connecting 17,000 UN supporters in the U.S.

August 13, 2013

The United Nations Association of the USA (UNA-USA), a program of the United Nations Foundation, today announced that Chris Whatley will join the organization as Executive Director. In this role, he will lead UNA-USA's nationwide membership, educational, and human rights programs, at the heart of the movement of Americans who support the important work of the United Nations.

"Chris is joining us at a pivotal time in the history of UNA-USA and the UN Foundation, when the opportunities to actively support the UN are greater than ever," said UN Foundation President & CEO Kathy Calvin. "His years of experience in international affairs and dedication to powerful grassroots advocacy will help take UNA-USA to even higher levels of engagement and effectiveness in the years to come."

Whatley will lead UNA-USA’s national staff in Washington, D.C. and New York, and will head up the Association’s efforts to increase membership, advocate on behalf of the UN and UN causes, and educate the next generation of UN supporters in the U.S. through UNA-USA’s Global Classrooms Model UN program. He will also be responsible for the close coordination of UNA-USA with other programs, initiatives and activities of the United Nations Foundation and its sister organization, the Better World Campaign.

"As someone who has experienced the critical importance of UN peacekeeping and the work of the specialized agencies firsthand, I look forward to working with UNA-USA members and staff to continue the Association’s strong legacy and further build the UNA-USA network to help ensure a positive U.S.-UN relationship for the future," said Whatley.

Before joining UNA-USA, Whatley served as Deputy Executive Director and Washington Office Director of The Council of State Governments where he served as a voice for U.S. states in Washington, D.C. and oversaw the Council’s federal advocacy and international outreach. He began his career as a field-based program officer for the International Republican Institute running democracy assistance projects in Liberia, Nigeria, South Africa, and Zimbabwe. Whatley holds a B.A. in Government from Angelo State University and an M.S. in Foreign Service from Georgetown University.

UNA-USA’s national network includes 17,000 members in 120 Chapters across the United States.

About UNA-USA

The United Nations Association of the United States of America (UNA-USA) is a membership organization dedicated to inform, inspire, and mobilize the American people to support the ideals and vital work of the United Nations. For 70 years UNA-USA has worked to accomplish its mission through its national network of Chapters, youth engagement, advocacy efforts, education programs, and public events. UNA-USA is a program of the United Nations Foundation. UNA-USA and its sister organization the Better World Campaign represent the single largest network of advocates and supporters of the United Nations in the world. Learn more about UNA-USA’s programs and initiatives at www.unausa.org.

About the United Nations Foundation

The United Nations Foundation builds public-private partnerships to address the world’s most pressing problems, and broadens support for the United Nations through advocacy and public outreach. Through innovative campaigns and initiatives, the Foundation connects people, ideas, and resources to help the UN solve global problems. The Foundation was created in 1998 as a U.S. public charity by entrepreneur and philanthropist Ted Turner and now is supported by global corporations, foundations, governments, and individuals. For more information, visit www.unfoundation.org.